K4 available next month !

[Csxgp38-2]

Yup, back when men required on experience and their fellow workers to stay safe and do the job. No fancy dynamic brakes, windshield wipers, A/C, but you sure had a mighty powerful heater.

[Rich_S]

The PRR K4 from RSC is very impressive, a great looking engine that includes operating cab signals. Although the cab signal aspects should be amber, I can live with the white aspects but there is one giant problem with all of the K4 scenarios for the HSC route. On the Pennsylvania Railroad all freight trains were required to have a caboose, cabin car in Pennsy terminology. The reason being not only did the cabin car mark the end of the train, but it was also the office for the conductor. The typical crew during the steam era on the PRR was a Engineer, Fireman and Brakeman on the locomotive and the Conductor, Brakeman and Flagman on the On the caboose.

Regards,
Rich S.

[ArcticCatZRT]

Well if it makes you feel any better you can add the cabin car at the end of the train yourself(I know it should be right from RSC, but sometimes you have to work with whatca got)! Also thanks for the info, I guess I do learn something everyday!

[OldProf]

The PRR K4 from RSC is very impressive, a great looking engine that includes operating cab signals. Although the cab signal aspects should be amber, I can live with the white aspects but there is one giant problem with all of the K4 scenarios for the HSC route. On the Pennsylvania Railroad all freight trains were required to have a caboose, cabin car in Pennsy terminology. The reason being not only did the cabin car mark the end of the train, but it was also the office for the conductor. The typical crew during the steam era on the PRR was a Engineer, Fireman and Brakeman on the locomotive and the Conductor, Brakeman and Flagman on the On the caboose.

Regards,
Rich S.

Okay, I'll bite -- what "cab signal aspects" are you talking about? I've looked at every nook of that cab ('though I may have missed a cranny somewhere) and have not noticed any such thing -- and wouldn't expect a steam locomotive to have such equipment anyway. I agree thoroughly about the missing cabeeses and would sure like to know about cab signal aspects. This engine's user manual doesn't include the usual information about cab features and controls.

[johnmckenzie]

They're immediately above the engineer's front window

[Rich_S]

Okay, I'll bite -- what "cab signal aspects" are you talking about? I've looked at every nook of that cab ('though I may have missed a cranny somewhere) and have not noticed any such thing -- and wouldn't expect a steam locomotive to have such equipment anyway. This engine's user manual doesn't include the usual information about cab features and controls.

Hi Tom,
You are correct, it looks like RSC forgot to mention working cab signals on the K4. The PRR did install cab signals on their steam locomotives, I'm not sure of the exact date but I believe it was pre-WWII. If I remember correctly they were type EH cab signals. In the 60's the EH cab signals were replaced with the type EL cab signals. Anyone familiar with Pennsylvania, Penn Central or Conrail EMD locomotives have seen the box sitting on the walkway just ahead of the cab on the Engineers side of the locomotive. That box holds the relays for the type EL cab signals. Although you'll still find NS ex-Conrail EMD dash 2 locomotives today with type EL cab signals, the SD50's, SD60's and Dash 8 locomotives were equipped with Ultra Cab 1 cab signals. All new units Dash 9 and later are equipped with Ultra Cab 2 cab signals. Even though there are 16 different wayside signals, cab signals can only display 4 aspects, Clear, Approach Medium, Approach and Restricting. There are a number of rules pertaining to cab signals, but the basic rule says the most restrictive of the two signals (Cab Signal verses Wayside Signal) rules. In other words, your cab signal aspect displays Approach Medium but the wayside signal displays Approach Slow, then the wayside signal should be followed. Here are the cab signals you'll see displayed running the K4 on the Horseshoe route.

Clear


Approach Medium


Approach


Restricting


I have not tried the K4 on other routes, so I'm not sure if the Cab Signals will respond to the Wayside signals found on other routes? The one thing I have noticed is the cab signals do seem to function properly on the HSC route.

Regards,
Rich S.

[MontanaRails]

About 10:40 into the video shows the cab signal repeaters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UXuZxchOCA

[johnmckenzie]

There is a significant glitch in the cabview though, folks - look behind you and upwards towards the tender. THERE IS NO ROOF!!

Please report it to RSC, as the more people who mention it the more likely it is to get fixed!

[RSAdam]

Only works with HSC Signals.

Hiya,

Actually, In-Cab signalling is functional on the Northeast Corridor, Donner Pass, and Horseshoe Curve :)

Regards

[OldProf]

Thanks, Rich S.!!!!! That's what I get for not driving from the cab enough. It's not that I'm claustrophobic, I just like to see where I'm going. I'll look more carefully for those repeaters.

Regards,

[Rich_S]

Actually, In-Cab signaling is functional on the Northeast Corridor, Donner Pass, and Horseshoe Curve :)

Hi Adam,
Thanks for the update Is there any chance of these cab signals being added to the PRR GP 7 and PRR F7 that came with the Horseshoe route? I don't have the GG1 yet, but it should have cab signals as well. Can anyone confirm if the GG1 is cab signal equipped?

Regards,
Rich S.

[Rich_S]

Thanks, Rich S.!!!!! That's what I get for not driving from the cab enough. It's not that I'm claustrophobic, I just like to see where I'm going. I'll look more carefully for those repeaters.

Regards,

Hi Tom,
You are very welcome I have to admit I have the same problem. Up to this point I preferred to use the #2 view more than any other view, as I enjoy seeing the engine, train and surrounding scenery. Since the release of the K4, I find myself using the #1 cabview to keep an eye on what the cab signals are displaying

Regards,
Rich S.

[ArcticCatZRT]

It shows the next upcoming signal.

[Rich_S]

It shows the next upcoming signal.

Hi Arctic Cat,
That is not correct. On the Pennsylvania, Penn Central, Conrail and now NS, the cab signal displays the signal you just passed, not the next signal. Cab signals are not heads up devices, they are more of an alerter device. RSC has hit the nail on the head with these cab signals in the K4.

Regards,
Rich S.

[Machinist]

The typical crew during the steam era on the PRR was a Engineer, Fireman and Brakeman on the locomotive and the Conductor, Brakeman and Flagman on the caboose.

Well... that inspired me in the WIP Loco Enhancement Pack update to add complete crew to K4 and PRR Caboose...

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